Socket for tubular lamps or the like



Nov. 26, 1940. F. c. DAZLEY 4 2,223,166

SOCKET FOR TUBULAR LAMPS OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 3, 1939 FPedePic'K C. Dazley,

His Attorney. 7

Patented Nov. 26, 1940 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Frederick O. Dazley, Bridgeport, Com, assignor to General Electric Company, a. corporation of New York Application October 3, 1939, Serial No. 297,696

7 Claims.

My invention relates to lamp sockets, and more particularly to lamp sockets for tubular electric lamps, for example, fluorescent lamps.

The object of my invention is the provision of 6 an improved construction and arrangement in lamp sockets of the type described in which a lamp may be easily and quickly mounted simply by sliding the lamp contacts into the socket.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tubular lamp, together with a lamp socket for supporting each end thereof; Fig. 2 is an exploded view showingthe elements of the lamp socket; Fig. 3 is an end view of the lamp showing the position of the lamp contact prongs just prior to seating engagement with the socket; Fig. 4 is a view of the interior of the lamp socket showing the lamp contact prongs in seated position, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the socket along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, my lamp socket 9 is utilized to support each end of a tubular lamp II], for example, a fluorescent lamp. Such lamps are usually provided with spaced contact prongs II adapted to cooperate with the contacts of the lamp socket.

In constructing the lamp socket, I provide a housing I2 of insulating material, such as a molded plastic, which is made in two pieces with a right-hand and a left-hand part, both parts being assembled together around the contact elements of the lamp socket. The general shape of the housing is shown by the drawing, the housing being formed with a wide base portion I3 and a relatively narrower extension I4. This makes it possible to mount the socket flush with a supporting plate, such as a reflector, in a manner to be described later.

The housing I2 is provided with a recess I5 which is separated by a central boss I6 into.

40 two compartments I1 and I8, which generally receive the contact members I9 and 20. In the outer face 2I of each part of ,the housing a slot 22 is formed which extends from the outer face to the upper edge 23 of the housing. Portions of the walls of the slot are ,fgrmed as straight edges 24 and 25 while the edge 25 is provided at a point below the outer edge 23 of the housing with a laterally disposed recess 26 having an 50 angularly extending edge or wall 21 merging with the slot 22. This means that the walls 24 and 21 form in efiect an undercut opening merging with the upper edge of the housing. The contact members I9 and 20 are so arranged that they extend 55 into the undercut opening.

To this end, the contact member 20 is formed of a relatively long rigid strip of metal one end of which is provided with a bent-over contactengaging portion 28 which fits into the upper edge of the recess 26 in a position to be engaged 5 by one of the contact prongs of the lamp. The other end of the contact member is bent at an angle to form a terminal portion which is seated in a slot 29 cut into the wall of the recess I8. In seated position the contact member bears against 10 the boss I6 at the point 30 so that it is firmly held in position within the recess I8 by engagement with the slot 29 and the central boss I6. The other contact member I9 is provided at one end with a contact surface 3I which is formed by bending back the contact upon itself as shown at 32 to provide, in eiTect, a resilient or flexible contact surface. The other end of the contact member is bent at an angle and secured to a terminal plate 33 of relatively heavy strip stock. 39 When the contact member I9 is seated within the compartment H the terminal plate 33 is positioned within recesses 34 formed in the walls of the compartment and the contact surface 3| is disposed so that it extends slightly into the slot 22 in position to be engaged by the other contact prong of the lamp. The bent end 32 of the contact rests against an extension 35 of the boss I6 so that the contact remains in position when it is flexed by engagement with a contact prong. Each of the contact members is provided with a terminal screw 36 to receive an electric conductor.

Since the two' parts of the housing are of similar shape, they may be assembled around the 35 contact members simply by mounting the latter in one part of the housing and then placing the other part of the housing against the one in which the contacts are assembled. A drive pin 31 secures the two parts of the housing together; the drive pin is received in openings 38 formed in the bosses I6. Prior to assembly of the housing, fastening means such as the nuts 39 may be mounted in recesses 40 in the parts of the housing so that when the parts are united together, the nuts are held securely within the body of the housing. Openings H are in alignment with the fastening means and are adapted to receive suitable bolts 42 which engage the nuts 39 for mounting the socket in position on the base.

In mounting the socket upon a plate or reflector, as shown in Fig. 3, the narrow extension I4 is inserted through an opening 43 in the plate 44 so that it extends above the surface of 66 the plate. The wider base portion of the socket engages the bottom surface of the plate and holds the. socket in position. The bolts .42 extend through the plate and engage the nuts 39 in the manner indicated By mounting the socket in this way that portion of the base carrying the terminal screw is hidden below the supporting plate so that all wiring to the socket is concealed. At the same time only a small portion of the socket extends above the plate and this portion, 1. e., the extension I4, may be shaped to conform with a contour of the tubular lamp thereby giving the assembly a pleasing appearance.

In mounting a lamp, one socket is provided for each end of the lamp. The lamp contact prongs are moved vertically downwardly through the slots 22 and are guided initially in a straight line by the edges 24 and 25 of the slots so that the lower ones of the contact prongs engage the flexible or resilient contacts 3|. By applying a slight force to the lamp, it is possible to flex or depress the contacts 3|, as shown by Fig. .3, making it possible to rotate the lamp slightly in order that the upper contact prongs may be moved laterally or pivoted along the lower contact prongs into the recesses 26 where they engage the other contact surfaces 28. When pressure on the lamp is released the resilient contact portions 3| force the upper contact prongs securely into engagement with the contact surfaces 28 and hold the lamp in position so that it cannot be moved out of engagement with the lamp sockets, this position being shown by Fig. 4. In addition, the overhanging edges of thecontact-engaging portions 28 grip the upper contact prongs and prevent them from being moved laterally out of the recess. To release the lamp it is simply necessary to press downwardly on it to flex the resilient contacts 3| permitting the upper contact prongs to become disengaged from bent-over contacts 28. After a. slight rotation of the lamp, it may be removed through the slots 22.

Removal of the lamp is facilitated by the spring action of the contact If! since when the upper contact prong is disengaged from the undercut portion of the recess by rotation of the lamp the flexible contact will move the lamp prongs upwardly thereby raising the lamp to a position where it may be easily grasped by the hand.

In constructing the lamp socket the undercut slots have been provided in opposite faces of the housing and the lamp contact prongs may be inserted from either side of the housing into engagement with the contact members. This means that only a single design of lamp socket is required to support both ends of the lamp.

If the undercut slot wereprovided in one face only it would be necessary to reverse the position of the undercut slot to support both ends of the lamp, since the position of the lampholder would be reversed to present the slotted face of the housing to the lamp contact prongs. This would mean that both a right and left-hand form of lamp socket would be required. By my construction, however, only a single design of lampholder is required to support both ends of the'lamp. This makes for economy of manufacture by reducing the number of molds. required and effects a saving to dealers since only a single item need be stocked.

While in the form of my invention described the contact member 29 has been provided with a movable or flexible portion 3| and the contact 20 has been formed with a relatively immovable contact portion 28, it should be manifest that in some cases the relationship of these elements may be reversed, i. e. the contact portion 3| held in stationary position and the contact surface 28 made flexible or movable. In such cases, it would simply be necessary to snap the upper contact beneath the contact surface 28 inasmuch as the latter extends below the edge of the recess 26,

My invention provides a rugged socket construction for supporting a tubular. lamp, or similar electrical device provided with spaced connecting prongs, and one which may be manufactured at low cost inasmuch as it is constructed of relatively few parts. The contacts are so i arranged that the lamp is held securely in position on the housing and excellent electrical contact is maintained between the lamp contacts and those of the lampholder. It is an easy matter to mount the lamp on the socket since the lamp prongs are simply moved downwardly into the recess and the lamp given a turn to lock it in position.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A socket for "use with a lamp having spaced contact prongs comprising a base of insulating material having a slot in a face extending to an edge thereof of a width to receive any one of the contact prongs, said slot being formed with a recess in a wall thereof extending at an angle to the axis of said slot, a contact member mounted in said recess and a movable contact member mounted in said slot, said last mentioned contact member being moved upon engagement with one of the contact prongs of the electric lamp as the lamp prongs are moved transversely of their axes through said slot to an extentto permit rotation of the other contact prong to a position within said recess in engagement with the contact in said recess.

2. A socket for use with a lamp having spaced contact prongs comprising a base of insulating material having a slot in a face extending to an edge thereof and of a width to receive any one of the contact prongs, said slot being formed with a recess in a wall thereof ofl'set' from the axis of saidslot, a contact member mounted in said recess and a movable contact mounted in said slot, said last mentioned contact member being movable upon engagement with one of the contact prongs of the lamp as the lamp prongs are moved transversely of their axes through said slot to an extent to "permit movement of the other contact prong into engagement with the contact in said recess.

3. In a socket for use with a lamp having spaced contact prongs, a base of insulating material provided with a recess in a face extending to an edge thereof and of a width to receive any one of the contact prongs, said recess having an undercut portion, a contact memberlocated in the undercut portion of said recess, and a second contact in. another portion of said recess, said last mentioned contact being movable upon en' gagementwith' one of the lamp as the prongs are moved transVersely of their axes into said recess to a position. whereby the other contact prong may be moved into said uncontact prongs,

dercut portion in engagement with said first terial provided with a recess in a face extending to an edge thereof the extension being of a width to receive any one of the contact prongs, said recess having an undercut portion spaced from said edge, a contact member located in the undercut portion of said recess and a resilient contact in anoth portion of said recess, said last mentioned contact member being depressible upon engagement with one of the lamp contact prongs to an extent whereby the other contact prong may be rotated beneath the edge of the base into said undercut portion into engagement with said first mentioned contact.

5. In a socket for use with an electrical device having spaced contact prongs, a base of insulating material provided with a recess in a face extending to an edge thereof and of a width to receive any one of the contact prongs, said recess having an undercut portion spaced from said edge, a contact member located in the undercut portion of said recess and a second contact in another portion of said recess, one of said contact members being movable relatively to the other upon engagement with the contact prongs as the prongs are moved transversely of their axes whereby one of the contact prongs-is movable into the undercut portion of said recess for engagement with the contact therein.

6. In a socket for use with an electrical device having spaced contact'prongs, a base of insulating material, saidbase having a slot in a face with parallel sides extending to an edge thereof, said slot being of a width to receive any one of said contact prongs, one of said sides being provided with a recess undercut from the edge of the base, a contact member in said recess, and a second contact member in said slot, one of said contact members being movable relatively to the other upon engagement with the contact prongs as the prongs are moved transversely of their axes into said recess whereby one of said prongs is movable laterally into seated position in engagement with said first mentioned contact.

7. A socket for use with an electric device having spaced contact pins comprising a base, said base being provided with a recess having a por-. tion forming a slot extending to an edge of said base, said slot being of a width to receive any one of the contact pins for transverse movement therethrough, another portion of said recess extending at an angle to said slot, spaced contact members in said recess, at least one of said contact members being located in the angular. extension of said recess and one of the contact members being movable relatively to the other to an extent to permit the contact pins to be moved transversely of their axes into engagement with-the contact members subsequent to movement through said slot.

FREDERICK o. DAZLEY. 

